visitors and cash at the airport

[Maureen Pilson]

A family member will be visiting for a couple of weeks. How strict are they at Tocumen? Do you think that he will be required to have $500 cash with him, since he has a return flight booked?

[Janice Marie Blankert]

 It is when you arrive at the Costa Rican border trying to get into Panama that they ask for this kind of thing.  Because so many folks have abused the immigration system, now they make it difficult to get into Panama by bus or car etc.  Keith is right about coming in by plane.  They just want you to have a return flight ticket.

[Maureen Pilson]

Thanks everyone

[olga suarez]

In my experience they are not strict with Americans but it is best to have cash on hand or credit card/bank statements proving your financial ability to stay in Panama for a determined amount of time.

[Alan Bollinger]

Not a bad idea to have at least $500 cash on ya in any case......the dollar is not what it used to be.....But as far as requirements go, its just too eazy to go to your bank and request a bank statement and carry it with you....Ive used it numerous times in Paso Canoas.....At the airport its highly unlikely they will even ask you.......unless youre a Venez or a Colombian..........and in that case you damn well better have it or youre goin back the way you came.......

[Amanda Firestone]

My son flies PTY regularly from the States. He has never been asked for proof of financial solvency.

[Robert Berding]

For good orders sake one can bring an ATM print of your credit/debit USA card with a min. 500 Dollar balance.

[Maureen Pilson]

Thanks everyone. Looks like we still better be safe than sorry.

[Keith Woolford]

Maureen, I don't believe there is any request to prove economic stability when arriving by air.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

Depends. A Venezuelan hostel owner here in Boquete was a few dollars short of 500 at Tocuman and they gave him a lot of grief.